Ahead of their Round of 16 clash at the Africa Cup of Nations, Mozambique’s head coach, Chiquinho Conde, has expressed strong belief in his team’s ability to challenge Nigeria, even while recognizing the Super Eagles as clear favourites.

Conde highlighted that the Mambas’ journey to the knockout stage tested their resilience and tactical discipline, preparing them for high-stakes matches. With a quarter-final spot on the line, he is confident his players are ready to rise to the occasion.

“We have shown that we are a capable and competitive team,” the coach said, reflecting on Mozambique’s performances in the group stage. “Against Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, small details worked against us, but now it’s do-or-die.”

Acknowledging Nigeria’s strong pedigree, Conde emphasized that Mozambique will approach the game with both confidence and composure. “Nigeria are the favourites, but we must face the game with humility, calmness, and responsibility. We’ve reached this stage with respect, and now it’s time to show what we can do,” he added.

Mozambique’s tournament began with a narrow loss to Côte d’Ivoire, followed by a historic win over Gabon—their first-ever victory at AFCON. A close defeat to Cameroon in the final group match was still enough to secure their spot in the knockout phase.

Their opponents, Nigeria, are three-time African champions and emerged from the group stage with maximum points, cementing their status as one of the tournament’s strongest teams.

Monday’s matchup represents a crucial test for both sides. While Nigeria aims to continue their winning momentum, Mozambique sees the game as an opportunity to build on their historic progress and validate their place in the Round of 16.

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